Best Windows apps this week
Four-hundred-ninety-two in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 and 11 on the Microsoft Store and elsewhere in the past seven days.
The next feature update for Windows 11, Windows 11 version 22H2, has reached RTM status this week. Work on the update will continue in the coming months before it is released to all users.
What is needed to make digital transformation work? [Q&A]
Digital transformation is a topic that's been in the air for more than just a few years now, but the impact of the pandemic and the need for businesses to adapt has rapidly brought it back to the forefront.
It's also no longer just about IT. Digital transformation is an enterprise-wide endeavor, connecting and affecting all business units and requires a shift in mindset to take full advantage of the opportunities it offers.
Microsoft brings WSL 2 distro support to Windows Server 2022
In a move that will please -- and surprise -- many, Microsoft has added WSL 2 distro support to Windows Server.
The new Windows Subsystem for Linux functionality is not available by default, as it requires the installation of a special update. This will be officially released on Patch Tuesday, but it is also available as a preview right now for anyone who does not want to wait.
Microsoft's KB5014019 update for Windows 11 is breaking antivirus tools
Trend Micro has issued a warning about the preview of the KB5014019 update for Windows 11, released by Microsoft a few days ago.
The security firm says that it is aware of a compatibility issue between the update and "the User Mode Hooking (UMH) component of several Trend Micro endpoint solutions". The problems affect both Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022.
Plex Desktop for Linux comes to Snap Store with flatpak version on the way
If you are a fan of pirating TV shows and movies, you have undoubtedly used Plex over the years. If you aren't familiar, the service uses a server/client concept, where you store your media on one machine and then stream it to another device. While Plex technically can be used for legally-obtained media, I predict that many (if not most) of its users are watching pirated content. Look, I'm not judging... I'm just trying to be honest.
And now, the Plex Desktop app and new Plex HTPC client app are both available for Linux -- but only from the Snap Store. Don't like Canonical's snaps? Don't worry, according to a blog post, the Plex developers are planning to roll out flatpak versions eventually too. Before anyone starts arguing about snap vs flatpak, let's just celebrate another big win for the Linux community overall. Okay?
Researchers uncover cybercriminal stronghold targeting Facebook users
The Facebook Messenger 'Is That You?' video phishing scam has been around since 2017, but a recent investigation into it by researchers at Cybernews has led to the discovery of what they're calling a 'cybercriminal stronghold'.
Threat actors are using this to infect the social network with thousands of malicious links each day. The research has also identified at least five suspects, thought to be residing in the Dominican Republic.
A human-centric approach is key to unlocking digital transformation success
The information age has gone through many phases, but one thing has always remained true -- the constant acceleration of evolution. This acceleration hasn’t always been consistent, but we’ve seen another leap in the already high urgency for businesses to adopt new tools, services, and technologies boom again with the growth of hybrid working.
Enterprises have become laser-focused on what will help hybrid workers be as productive as they were in the traditional office space -- wherever they choose to work. But knowing what technology and software are best to invest in to maintain -- or even boost -- productivity is not always a simple task.
Americans have their sensitive bits exposed over 700 times a day
Americans have sensitive data relating to their online activity and location exposed 747 times daily, almost twice as much as Europeans who have their data exposed 376 times a day on average.
A new report from Atlas VPN looks at real-time bidding (RTB), which runs in the background on websites and apps and tracks what you look at, no matter how private or sensitive it is.
Broadcom to acquire VMware for $61 billion
Broadcom has struck a deal with VMware that will see the chipmaker buying the cloud and virtualization software firm for around $61 billion in cash and stock. As part of the acquisition, Broadcom will also take on $8 billion of VMware's net debt.
When the deal is complete, Broadcom Software Group will rebrand and operate as VMware. As part of Broadcom, the new VMware will, the company says, "offer enterprise customers greater choice and flexibility to address the most complex IT infrastructure challenges".
BEC attacks get more businesslike to trick users
Business email compromise attacks are up 53 percent over the last year and are increasingly trying to look more like legitimate emails in their use of language.
A new report from Armorblox shows 74 percent of BEC attacks are using language as the main attack vector.
Microsoft confirms Windows 11 Sun Valley 2 RTM build number and hints at release date
Windows 11 users have been eagerly awaiting the release of the first feature update for the operating system. Due for release later this year, we already know quite a lot about the Sun Valley 2 update, but information posted in Microsoft's Hardware Certification portal reveals more.
We already knew that Sun Valley 2 is due for release in the second half of the year -- hence the fact it is also known as Windows 11 version 22H2. But posts relating to the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program not only reveal the build number of the RTM version, but also gives us a better idea of when we can expect Sun Valley to be released.
Microsoft is making it easier to manage your software licenses in Windows 11
Having already introduced a new subscription management feature to the Accounts section of Settings, Microsoft is taking things further with the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25126.
The latest build has just been launched on the Dev Channel, and it sees the roll out of new account settings page improvements as well as numerous fixes. The change in Settings means that it is easier to see details of all supported Office perpetual products linked to your account, in addition to Microsoft 365 subscriptions
DuckDuckGo has been quietly permitting Microsoft trackers in its 'private' web browser
Many internet users with concerns about online privacy have turned to DuckDuckGo with the impression that the browser will enable them to enjoy the web without having their activity tracked. But a discovery by a security researcher reveals that things are not as private as users would have hoped and expected.
DuckDuckGo was spotted allowing data to be transmitted via Microsoft trackers to LinkedIn and Bing ad domains. What's more, DuckDuckGo admits that an agreement exists between itself and Microsoft that allows trackers from the Windows-maker on third-party sites.
Warning: You should stop using Tails Linux NOW!
We here at BetaNews often sing the praises of Tails, as the Linux-based operating system allows you to surf the web more privately. This is particularly important for those living under oppressive governments, such as China and Russia, but it can be beneficial for all internet users -- even those in the good ol' USA.
Sadly, it seems we must warn against using Tails for now, as it has been discovered that there is a significant vulnerability in the operating system. More specifically, a vulnerability was found in the Firefox and Tor web browsers, which are core aspects of Tails 5.0. The vulnerability is so severe, that the Tails developers are asking users to suspend use of the Live distribution entirely until a Tails 5.1 ISO is released next week.
Lexar SL660 BLAZE Gaming Portable SSD features RGB lighting
How do you make a portable SSD a "gaming" drive? Just add RGB lighting, of course! Today, Lexar launches a new solid state drive that it claims is designed for gaming. Is that just marketing? Yes and no. Called "SL660 BLAZE," the USB 3.2 Gen2x2 SSD features RGB lighting and comes with a really cool stand to prop it up. While the drive itself has a USB-C connector, it comes with both a USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cable in the box.
Besides the RGB lighting gimmick (which is very cool), the SL660 BLAZE actually can benefit gamers that need to store games on both PC and console. The drive offers respectable read speeds of up to 2,000MB/s and write speeds of up to 1,900MB/s. Of course, the drive can be used by anyone that wants a fast and attractive SSD -- it isn't just limited to gaming.
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